In: Physics
There are many subtle effects that must be taken into account in calculations involving GPS satellites. Estimate just the effect of the time dilation of special relativity.
(a) Find the speed of a GPS satellite (height is 20,200 km above the surface of Earth). Hence, find the time difference between a clock in the satellite and one on the ground after one complete orbit, assuming they were originally synchronized (ignore all effects except time dilation).
(b) Suppose we forgot to allow for this time difference. Estimate the resulting error in the calculation of our position.